Meet our team
Nicolas Rossi - Head Trainer & C.E.O.
Nicolas brings an exceptional and diverse background in coaching, riding and showing. He has represented Uruguay internationally in both Jumping and Eventing. He brings over a decade of coaching experience from beginners to advanced and is a certified FEI Coach. Nicolas’ teaching philosophy focuses on building a solid horsemanship foundation, balance, communication and enjoyment of the sport.
Biography
Nicolas was born into a horse-loving family in Uruguay. He inherited a passion for horses from his father, Jorge Rossi, a retired army captain and renowned Uruguayan Grand-Prix rider. Nicolas represented Uruguay internationally in both showjumping and eventing. In addition to his competitive career Nicolas also took an interest in coaching and training and began working at his father’s riding school in Uruguay as a teenager. In 2004, he decided to move to the US to pursue his dream of representing Uruguay in the Olympics and to further develop his horsemanship skills and riding career. In 2009 he completed the FEI Level 1 Coaching Course and started working for the Martin-McAllister barn. Working with Steve McAllister and top Grand-Prix rider Jenni Martin-McAllister has given Nicolas a unique perspective in both teaching and riding. He then accepted a position as Assistant Trainer at Sterckx Stables with David Sterckx where he become familiar with the European coaching system. In 2015, Nicolas decided to open his own training business, Rossi Equestrian aiming to produce smart, independent riders who can be successful at every level of riding. Nicolas envisions Rossi Equestrian as a place where horses and riders can fulfill their highest potential.
Nicolas’ Training Philosophy:
“I believe in flat work as the basis for good jumping. Almost every problem that I see in the ring can be fixed on the flat. Good training and riding requires great communication not only between horse and rider but also between rider and trainer. My teaching method consists of establishing an order for the information required to do the task at hand such as jumping a fence or doing lateral work. Many riders already have all the information they need and I just help them put it all together and establish an order.”
Lisé Patterson - Assistant Trainer & C.O.O.
Lisé has been exposed to horses and the show world from a young age; having a competitive Grandmother and Mother in the English disciplines and Aunt that focused on Western Pleasure show circuits. Beginning her riding career at Flying V Farms with Lori VanSickle, she quickly gained her footing in the show arena and focused her high school years on dressage, hunters, showjumping and eventing, competing in Southern California. She continued her riding journey while gaining more experience in horsemanship when she was accepted to Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. While pursuing double Bachelors in Product Development/Design and Lib. Studies she was able to join the equestrian team and helped train and assess the horses donated to the college with various health conditions or training issues under the supervision of the Equestrian Studies Program Coordinator, Sara Linde-Patel.
Working as an Art Director and teacher for 10+ years after college she is now able to combine her experience in business and teaching with the passion for showjumping and training to become an asset to the KEA team providing a unique perspective to help the business grow and succeed.
She believes in a positive riding/training philosophy and strives to teach her students the benefits of learning how to ride with the whole body and how to “tune-in” to each horse they ride while they build on the skills needed to achieve their goals and reach new levels.
"Working with Nicolas this past year has been a dream. He has generously taken me under his wing and provided an outlet to express and utilize my talents in a way that fulfills my personal and professional goals."
Alexis Roman - Assistant Barn Manager
I started with no pervious knowledge of riding. I joined KEA when I was 11 after watching an Olympian jump a course. I remember finding KEA, and opting to take my first lesson. It still remains one of my core memories. Afterwards, I started regular lessons with Nicolas and gradually built up some basic knowledge and skills surrounding horses. I would spend almost every Saturday helping whenever and however I could. Eventually, Saturdays expanded to every other day throughout the week, and then to everyday.
I learned to teach lessons to beginners with assistance from a trainer. I continued to work for 4 years persistently with hope that I could further my growth as a rider. Finally at 16, I began working at KEA as an assistant trainer with Nicolas and Lise. I teach students how to clean tack, and do all around basic barn and horse care. Along with aiding in some horse training. Working with KEA has only fueled my desire to pursue a career within the industry.
I plan to continue working with KEA, and inspire and support other riders. In the future, I want to further my understanding in different training techniques. The end goal is to be able to see my team grow as a whole and participate in nationwide events. The community at KEA has only grown larger since I started and I strive to encourage others to work as I did to also further themselves within the sport with an ever growing friendly environment. I believe heavily that if you’re willing to put out the work, you can only better yourself as an individual, for the sport, and your horses. Honest hard work, time, and dedication does pays off.
"When things don't work out as you'd like them to, then back off and don't let pride and ego get in the way. The horse doesn't know what you're asking. The human labels it "He doesn't WANT to!'. Do not put a time limit on it. Encourage what you're asking to become his idea." -Ray Hunt